Infinium Goes Bust

http://www.actiontrip.com/rei/comments_news.phtml?id=090704_7

That's a shame, I'd love to have seen this on the shelves. People will kill for those protos now.

 

:smt042 :smt042 :smt042

I could just see this coming... even more after looking at the CEO's track recrod :smt043

 

Yup, I doubt it will surprise anyone. Still, it was an interesting concept.

 

Wonder how many protos thaere are kicking around in the world??

Anyone want to start a bet on when the first one shows up on Ebay? :smt042

 

Crumbling Cookies

I had no doubt this was going to happen.
The fact of the matter is when an expert gaming GIANT like Sega has to fold from making consoles NO amount of mere optomisim will help you compete in todays market.
What was the final tally on how much Microsoft had to INVEST in R&D for the Xbox? How much did they lose PER CONSOLE at launch when they were selling them below cost just to get them into peoples homes?
These days you pretty much have to be a conglomerate synonomous with wealth, monopolized success and endlessy deep pockets to even enter the game... some American rejects based out of Florida never had a chance.
Furthermore, I find the concept somewhat debasing. When I buy a game I want to OWN it, I want to COLLECT it, I want it in a box on my shelf and that's something this cable box filled off-the-shelf PC components couldn't have given me.
One last thing. Let's talk about FIRST party game support.
The Phantom wasn't going to have ANY. By now I'd expect a company to know that a console is DRIVEN by it's first party titles. If there's no recognizeable character (Mario) or world-class dev team (Sega) coming from the console maker then you've got no marketability in the first place.
[/RANT]
~Krelian

 

Microsoft *still* lose money on every console they sell, as do Sony. Only Nintendo are the ones to break even for each machine sold.

I think the point many people are missing is, it was almost certainly intended to go bankrupt. From the CEO's back history, he has probably been seiphening off cash since the start, knowing it would fail in the end. Clever business doesn't always mean a succesfull company.

 

The thing is though. The CEO will make out with tons of millions from venture capitalists. Thats what he's been doing with other bogus companies he created then let them fall apart.

 

It was doomed from the start. Nobody in their right mind would ever have bought it: no decent games as a console, and lack of functionality over a PC. I remember seeing the control pads too... *shudders*...

That's not entirely true:

http://www.actsofgord.com/Proclamations/chapter02.html
It's worth a read anyway, very interesting article.

 

Yeah, and how old is that article? I stopped reading the gord's site a year ago after 6 months of innactivity.

 

damn! i would loved to have one ! no really , that would be hackers paradise and they would find a way to install linux and make it work like a stylish computer at low price!

but everything isn't lost , that will be a true collector item... there's alot of differents proto and evolutions of the system. sadly , i couldn't afford one of those , im pretty sure.

 

sony don't loose money at all with their ps2 , they are gaining money with it . Sony loose money by develloping the ps3 though.

if microsoft wasn't the big compagny with alot of cash that we all know , the xbox would be history , or be on the dead list.

 

Every company loses money when selling their console. It has always been the games that bring in the money. Think about it. You only buy one console, but you buy a lot of games. That is where the money is. The games. Honestly, I was suprised to here that Nintendo broke even.

 

well, sony gain money with is ps2 , you know how? because it always break and you must repair it or buy a new one! :smt043 :smt043

 

What difference does it make? If you read the article it clearly lays out how Sony weren't losing money, despite everyone assuming (and obviously still assuming) they were. Hardware losing money is something only huge companies like Microsoft can afford for any sustained period. It's not good business practice and it makes no sense.

You don't drive your own prices into the ground unless you know it hurts your competitors more, or unless you absolutely have to. Sega, for instance, absolutely had to with the Saturn. Microsoft knew they could afford it. Sony made the PS2 out of their own fabs with their own designs; there's not much real cost outside of that (no tech licensing fees for starters). Companies exist to make profit, and Sony made sure they profited from the start. Of course they make money from the games. Why not make money from the hardware too?

 

Also, since the HQ of the company as well as the manufacturer of the prototypes you saw at E3 are located here in FL, specifically around Lakeland. I have a chance of getting my hands on the prototypes or any other things that will make rich after selling them on ebay much sooner than Assembler even though I'll let him know of what happens.

 

THey can't go out of buisness where else am i going to pay 50 bucks a month for games i can already play on my pc and xbox. But you have to admit having that white pc case would be sweet.

 

Oh damn, there's no "utter and complete lack of surprise" smilie to use for this occasion....

I can't wait to see what Penny Arcade will make of this news, they've had a heyday with Infinium from day one.

 

They all initially lose money when a new system is introduced and make their money on licensing, ect to cover the loss. Eventually though as the system ages the price of chips drop and they refine the internals and the manufacturing process they save money a can make a profit on the system. Why do you think there are revisions for the Xbox and PS2?

 

ah i wanted that case and keyboard thing...

 

Like every one said before me, we knew the Phantom was doomed from the start.

Yakumo